Kathrine Frich
A former British military trainee who travelled to Ukraine to help instruct troops is now at the centre of an extraordinary espionage case.
Ukrainian officials allege he secretly worked for Russia’s FSB, passing sensitive information and aiding hit squads responsible for assassinations on Ukrainian soil.
His family, stunned by the accusations, say they barely recognise the man now at the heart of an international scandal.
Authorities in Kyiv claim the suspect was motivated by promises of fast cash, but investigators say the consequences of his collaboration were deadly.
Family blindsided
Speaking to The Sun, Ross John Cutmore said he has not seen his son Ross David Cutmore in almost a year and is struggling to process the allegations.
He told the newspaper: “He’s a grown man and makes his own decisions… The last time I saw him was at Christmas time.”
He added that he felt “lost for words” and “embarrassed” after hearing the details of the case.
He confirmed that his ex-wife had been in contact with the UK Foreign Office, but that he himself had not spoken with his son since the arrest.
Asked whether the news came as a shock, he replied: “That’s the understatement of the year.”
The suspect’s background
Cutmore, 40, arrived in Ukraine earlier this year to help train military personnel. Despite being described publicly as a “British instructor”,
The Sun reports that his military experience consisted of “less than a year” as an officer cadet at Glasgow University.
A source familiar with his time in the Officer Training Corps said: “He would be no more combat effective than a life boat.”
According to Ukrainian prosecutors, he later worked with border units and conducted training sessions for troops in Mykolaiv before leaving the role in September 2024.
Officials say he then moved to Odesa, where he allegedly made contact with a Russian intelligence representative and agreed to assist in exchange for money.
Assassination links
Ukraine’s SBU security service claims Cutmore helped facilitate the killings of several prominent anti-Kremlin figures.
Among the victims were former parliament speaker Andriy Parubiy, who was shot in Lviv in August 2025; nationalist politician Iryna Farion, murdered outside her home the previous month; and activist Demyan Hanul, killed in Odesa in March.
Investigators say they are now examining whether Cutmore supplied weapons to the teams who carried out the attacks.
The SBU also alleges he conducted reconnaissance, shared locations of training centres and helped move weapons and ammunition for Russian operatives.
Officials claim he received at least £4,500 for his involvement.
They further allege he was instructed on where to pick up a loaded pistol and two magazines, and that he was preparing additional sabotage operations.
Arrest and investigation
Cutmore was detained at his home in Kyiv in October. His identity was initially concealed during early court hearings, which were held behind closed doors.
Ukrainian officials said the exposure of his alleged espionage role came with the support of British intelligence, including MI6.
He is being held on suspicion of passing unauthorised information to Russia and taking part in “reconnaissance and sabotage activities”.
Prosecutors say he may also have been preparing bomb attacks. If convicted, he faces up to 12 years in prison.
An SBU source told The Sun: “Cutmore is currently detained and in custody, and the investigation is ongoing.”
Sources: The Sun
